Machine for dividing dough or like plastic material.



' No. 629,815. I Patented Aug. I, |899.-

c. E. & J. E. Pom'run. MACHINE FUR {III'IIIDI'TIIEII DIIUG'H v0|? LIKE `PLASTIC MATERIAL.

(Appxiention med nac. 24, 189m 5 Sheets-Sheet I.

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Patented Aug, I,A Issa. Y

no. 629,8I5..

.I c. Las. PIIIIITIIII. MACHINE FIIIIv IJIVIDING nous on LIKE PLASTIC MATERIAL.-

(Appltion led '.Dec. 24, 1898.)

5 Sheets-Shut 2.

(No Model.)

fl.|||.||| IIIIIIIIIII 1H: mms PETERS co t woraIJn-Io.. wAsMmmun. u. c.

Patented Aug; l, |899.;

c'. E. .L E. Polmou. MACHINE FUR DIVIUING DOUG 0B UKE PLASTIC MATERIAL,

(Application filed Dec. 24, 189B.)

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VA(No Model.)

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No. 529,815'. .A l Patented Aug. l, m99.' c.V E. & .1. E. PmNToN.

MACK-HNE FOB DiVlDlNG DUGHOR LIKE PLASTIC MATERIAL;

(Appicatqn med De, 24, 1898.)

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Patented Aug. i, i899.

c. E. & J. E. PmNToN. n MACHINE FUR DIVIDING DUUGH 0B LIKE PLASTIDMTERIAL.

(Application led Dec. 24, 1898.)

5 Shouts-Smet 5.

ma model.)

UNITED STATES IPnrrlnvfr OFFICE'. i

CHARLESEDW'ARD POINTON AND JOHN EDW'ARD POINTON, 0F VVELLING- TON, ENGLAND, ASSIGN ORS T0 THE LEWIS dr POINTONS PANIFIOATION,

LIMITED, or LoND'oN, ENGLAND.

MACHIN FOR DIVIDING DOUGH OR LIKE PLASTIC MATERIAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 629,815, dated August 1, 1899.

Y Application iled December 24, 1.898f Serial No. 700,227. (No model.)

To fz/ZZ z ohom4 it` vmay concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES EDWARD PoIN'roN and JOHN EDWARD POINroN, subjects of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and residents of Wrekin road, Wellington, in the county of Salop, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Dividing Dough or Like Plastic Material, (for 'which We'have filed an application for patent'in Great Britain, No. 19,458, bearing date September 13, 1898,) of which the following is a specification.

Our inventionconsists of improvements in machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into a number of portions of uniform Weight for. bread-making and other purposes, the objects of such improvements being to insure the accurate and regular Working and the handiness and durability of the machines, to enable them to be readily adjusted to the required Weight Aof the divided portions of dough or plastic material, and to be safely and convenientlycleaned and inspected.l i y A In the five accompanyingsheets ofexplanatory drawings, to be hereinafter referred to, Figure l isla side elevation Ywith oneof the side frames removed and with part in section; Fig. 2, a plan illustrating a dough-dividing machine constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 3 isV a side elevation of the complete machine. Fig-4 is a sectional end view of the machine. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan, to a larger scale, of the means of adjusting the machine to the required Weight of the portions into which the dough is to be divided, While Fig. 6 is a similar View showing the parts in a different position of adjustment. Fig. 7 is an elevation showing the means for raising and lsupporting, the main ram for cleaning purposes. Fig. Sis an end view showing the arched cross-stays at the front end off the machine. y A* Y l A The same reference-letters in the different views indicate the sameparts.

In the construction of a dough-'dividing machine in accordance with our invention We arrange the reciprocating rain A beneath the hopper AB, intowhich the unweighed mass of sition.

dough is fed. The reciprocation of the ram A is eected by the combined action of the Weight C and the cam D on the lever E, pivoted at E', the upper end of such lever being connected with the ram by the links F F'. The instroke of the ,ram A on itsmovenient in the direction of the arrow 1 at Fig. 1 is produced by the descent of the Weight C, which is arranged at the back end of the machine and is connected by the chains, as C', passing over the guide-pulleys O2 and C3, with the lower end of the lever E. The guide-pulleys C2 andnC3 are keyed or otherwise secured to their supporting shafts or spindles, which revolve in bearings formed in the ends of a strong stretcher or cross-stay G,'flxed to and rigidly connecting and staying the side frames of the machine. Such stretcher or cross-stay also forms a guard for the upper pair of pulleys Czand C3. The outstroke of the ram, or its movement ,in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 1 at Fig. 1, is produced by the action of the revolving cam D on the roller D', which revolves on a pin or axle fixed to the lever E. The length of the instroke of the ram under the action of the falling Weight C (by which action the density or pressure at which the dough is divided or actually weighed and kept constant) will vary with the volume of the portion of dough which is separated from the mass in the hopper B duringv such instroke by the knife H,

vfixed to the division-box N, and with the resistance 'or consistency of such dough; but under the action of the cam D the ram will be always brought back to its outermost position, or the position in which it is shown at Fig. 1, and during such return movement the Weight C will be raised in readiness for effecting by its subsequent descent the next instroke of the ram A.

The Whole of themoving parts of the machine are driven by gearing from the fly- Wheel which is revolved by belting from a counter-sh aft arranged in any convenient poa solid disk form is substituted in order that it shall serve as aguardfor the L gearing arranged between the Wheel and the adjacent Instead of arms or lspokes a Web ofv side frame of the machine. The driving flywheel J and the' small toothed wheel or pinion K, connected to it, are mounted loosely upon the projecting end of the shaft L, on the central part of which is keyed or secured the cam D, hereinbefore described. The pinion K engages or gears with the toothed wheel M on the shaft M, while the pinion or small toothed wheel M2 on the same shaft engages or gears with the toothed wheel L on the shaft L, and the said shaft L is thus set in motion.

The reciprocation of the division-box N (which is divided into chambers for the reception of the dough carried forward by the instroke of the ram A) is eii'ected by the action-of the cams N N2 on the-shaft N3, the Said cams being in connection with one end of the side bars or rods N4 N5, while the opposite ends of such bars are secured adjustably to side projections from the box N. The rising-and-falling motion of the cutting-off knife O (by which the dough in the divisionchambers of the box N is separated from the dough in the main top box A) is effected or produced by the action of the single cam P on one end of the lever P', the said cam P being xed between the side 'frames of the machine on the shaft N2. The lever P is fixed to the pivot-shaft P2, and to such shaft we also fix the arms or. levers P3 P, having their outer ends connected with the cuttingoff knife O. The shaft N3 is revolved by the toothed wheel L2 on the shaft L gearing with the idle or intermediate wheel L3, the said wheel L3 being also in gear or engagement with the toothed wheel L4 on the shaft N2.

Ve arrange for the adjustment necessary to permit of the division of the dough into portions of such weight as may be required by connecting` the rods Q' of the plungers, as Q, with which each division-chamber of the box N is provided, to a cross-head Q2, havin g an extension-rod Q3 secured to it, as shown more clearly in the enlarged detail view at Figs. 5 and 6. Such extension-rod Q3 passes through the bush or sleeve Q4, which screws into the central boss of the two-arm brackets R R', bolted to and projecting from the division-box N. rlhe head of the externallyscrewed b ush or sleeve QLL is provided with projections or handles Q5, by which its position within the internally-screwed central boss attached to the brackets R R can be readily adjusted. The bush or sleeve is retained at its adjusted position by the locknut Q6, which is also provided with handles. At the outer extremity of the extension-rod Q2 we fix a flange or collar Q7. On the reciprocation of the two-arm brackets R R with the division-box N, to which they are attached, by the action of the cams N' N2 and the side rods Nl N5, as hereinbe'fore described, the cross-head Q2 and its attached rods Q and plungers Q have the necessary reciproeating movement imparted to them for the purpose of carrying the divided portions of dough into position for discharge by the contact of the central boss of the two-arm brackets R R with the outer collar Q7 in the one direction and by the contact of the adjustable bush or sleeve Q4 with the body of the cross-head Q2, the travel of which is limited by stops Q8, fitted in the guides A2 and A2, in the other direction. As the outer collar QY is iixed to the rod Q2, the inner faces of the plungers Q, attached to the cross-head Q2, are always brought back (whatever depth the division-chambers are adjusted to) far enough to permit of the elevation of the scraper S, by which the divided portions of dough are separated and their falling clear from the plungers assured; but as the bush or sleeve Q4 is adjustable the length of the stroke of the plungers Q can be varied, thereby varying the depths of the division-spaces in the box N available for the reception of the dough brought forward by the action of the ram A. By this method of adjustment of the plungers to suit the required weight of the dough portions no corresponding Variation of the position of the scraper S is necessary. As it is shown at Fig. 5, the adjustable bush or sleeve QA1 is screwed to its full extent within the central boss of the brackets R R', and in such a position the division-chambers are gaged -0r set to the maximum depths; but by unscrewing the bush or sleeve from the central boss of the brackets R R the plungers Q are forced a corresponding distance within their chambers in the division-box N and the contact with the cross head Q2 will be made earlier in the return stroke or movement of the division-box N, to which the brackets R R are attached, and thus the stroke of the plungers within the division chambers will be shortened, and thus limit the space available for the reception of the dough. As shown at Fig. 6, the bush or sleeve Q`1 is screwed to its full extent in the opposite direction to that shown at Fig. 5.

The rising-andfalling motion ofthe scraper S is imparted by the levers S and S2, mounted on the rocking or pivot shaft S2, the rocking motion of the said shaft S2 being obtained by the action of the cain S4 (secured to the shaft L) on the lever S5, which is mounted on the shaft S2.

We arrange spring stops or buffers, as T and T2, on the sides of the machine for the purpose of preventing belated movement of the plungers Q and their cross-head Q2 on the instroke or return stroke of the division-box N, (such movement being in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 at Fig. l.) By the use 'of such spring-buffers (which are compressed when the plungers are moved inward on the contact of the adjustable' bush Q4 with the cross-head Q2) the plungers are carried to their proper end position within the divisionspaces of the box N, as is determined by the adjustment hereinbefore described, and thus we can insure uniformity in the weight of the divided portions of the dough.

'lOO

IIO

sequent supporting of the plnngers Q and their rods Q.' and cross-head Q2, We employ a pair of supporting bars or rails, which, as

U U', may be detachable, having suitablyshaped ends for hooking onto the end of the machine, as shown, in such positions that on detaching the pins vlor bolts R2 R3 on the brackets R R' and the stops Q8 in the guides A2 A3 the plungers, rods, and cross-head can be drawn out onto the said bars or rails U U and be supported thereby during cleaning and inspection. The bars or rails can be readily unhooked and removed from the machine, or they may be made so as to telescope, hinge, or otherwise be placed out of position.

We provide for the raising and lowering oi. the main ram A and for the supporting of the same for cleaning and inspection purposes by connecting a lever d to the ram-pin a', as shown in the det-ail View at Fig. 7, such lever a having its fulcrnm upon the upper end of the ram-operating lever E. The arm or other end n.2 of the lever a may be detachable in order that it may be removed, if desired, when the machine is in service. By depressingthe outer end a2 ofthe lever athe ram A can be readily raised, as shown in dotted lines, and by securing the chain CL3, depending from the extremity of d2, to the hook a4 on the guard G the ram can be maintained at its elevated position during the operation of cleaning.

For the convenient and accurate machining and fitting of the cross-head and division-box guides A2 A3 (which are cast in one piece with the main top box A) and to insure that they shall be sufficiently rigid to permanently retain the accuracy of alinement or fitting We dispose a pair of arched cross-stays, as ALA, between the guides, as shown at Figs. l and 2 and also at the end view at Fig. S, such stays preferably forming a part of the casting itself. The stays are so curved and disposed in relation to the guides A2 A3 as to permit of ready access for the planing or machining of the inner parts and guiding-surfaces of the casting and to allow the plungers Q and also the division-box N and brackets R R to be passed in or out clear of the stays.

Having new described our invention, what We claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. VIn machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of uniform weight, the combination with the divisionboXN having the brackets R R secured thereto and/the cross-head Q2 to which the plunger-rods Q are attached, of the adjustable bush or sleeve Q4 and the extension-rod Q3 having a collar Q7 fixed to its outer end, substantially as set forth.

2. ln machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into weight, ing cross-head Q2 to which the plunger-rods Q' are attached, of the spring-buffers T T', substantially as set forth.

3. In machines for dividing dough and like plast-ic material into portions of uniform Weight, the combination With the guides A2183 for the sliding cross-head Q and division-box N, of the detachable bars or rails U U', substantially as set forth.

4. In machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of uniform Weight, th e combination with the ram A of the lever a having its fulcrum upon the upper end of the ramfoperating lever E and provided With a detachable end a2, substantially as set forth.

5. ln machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of uniform portions of uniform' the combination with the reciprocat-v Weight, the construction in one piece with the main top box A and the cross-head and division-,box guides A2 A3, of the archedA crossstays A4 A5 at the outer or front end of the said guides A? A3, substantially as set forth.

6. ln machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of uniform weight, the combination With the ram-operating cam D, the division-boX-operating cams N' N2, the cutting-o-knife-operating cam P,

andthe scraper-operating cam S4, of the combined driving-Wheel and gearing-guard .l connected with the whoie of the said cams by a single set of gearing,substantially as set forth.

ln witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands in presenceof two Witnesses.

CHARLES EDWARD POINTON. JOHN EDWARD POINTON.

lVitnesses:

EDWARD Manns, HERBERT BoWKnTT. 

